DeSoto Meeting Briefs: Olive Branch Aldermen back hospital for city

Olive Branch aldermen added their support Tuesday night for a hospital to serve the city.

The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously at its first regular meeting of the year for a resolution of support.

The resolution will be sent to the local legislative delegation.

The vote was no surprise since aldermen have said they support a hospital more convenient to Olive Branch residents. The only other hospital in DeSoto County is in Southaven.

The Legislature prefers official resolutions, however, for bills that are presented for its consideration, Mayor Sam Rikard said.

Memphis-based Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare would like to build a 100-bed, four-story patient tower on a 20-acre site at U.S. 78 and Bethel Road, finishing a 276,000-square-foot facility by January 2012.

State policy has been standing in the way for years, but proponents hope continued lobbying will get Methodist the state-issued certificate of need required for medical facilities to operate.

-- Toni Lepeska

Olive Branch: City may change officer training

Olive Branch elected officials tabled a measure Tuesday night that would have eliminated physical testing of certified police who want to be hired by Olive Branch.

Some aldermen opposed total elimination of the physical test, while others seemed to approve of it.

Alderman Randy Cowgill said he was not opposed to amending the current requirement, but he said some type of physical evaluation is needed.

Currently, certified officers who want to be hired must pass at least 70 percent of the physical test.

Mayor Sam Rikard said he thought the measure was proposed in an effort to get more experienced officers on the Olive Branch force.

"Yeah, I want a smart officer," Aldermen Stephen Benson said, "but I want a tough police officer on the street."

-- Toni Lepeska

Southaven: Southern Lights a big success

There was plenty of Christmas cheer in Southaven, where the city's annual holiday lights fund-raiser brought in nearly $50,000 for several nonprofit organizations.

The eighth annual Southern Lights display, which opened Thanksgiving Day in Central Park, operated fewer nights this year but raised more money, Mayor Greg Davis said.

"The revenue went up 37 percent, and this meant that the non-profits will receive more money to help them make it through the year," Davis said.

Last year, the display attracted about 3,500 vehicles and raised more than $38,000 for local organizations. This year, the amount is more than $47,000.

Among the groups participating were the local chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Humane Society and House of Grace shelter .

-- Yolanda Jones

Southaven: Court opens in new location

Court will be in session today at Southaven's new municipal court building.

This will be the first day inside the new courtroom. The city court moved to its new home at 8889 Northwest Drive on Dec. 29.

Southaven spent $400,000 for renovations, equipment and a security system to turn the old M.R. Davis Library into its new court building.

The city is still working on the parking lot at the new court building. Until parking construction is finished, spaces will be sparse. But court-goers be warned -- if you park along the street, you will be ticketed.

-- Yolanda Jones

Horn Lake: Police pooch joins force

Dex, a three-year-old Belgian malinois, has completed his training as a patrol/explosives dog and joined the Horn Lake Police Department.

The dog was purchased from Mid-South Tactical K-9 as a dual-purpose dog. The cost was $6,000, which Police Chief Darryl Whaley said was a good price for a dual-purpose pooch.

"He completed his training last month and he's been doing really well so far," he said.

The department has three other dogs.

-- William C. Bayne

Horn Lake: City honors four for 2008 service

Three of four emergency service employees chosen for outstanding service in Horn Lake in 2008 had been winners previously.

Fire Chief David Linville announced department awards Tuesday night before the Board of Aldermen.

Those recognized for outstanding service had to have served in their capacity for at least a year and selections were made by secret ballot.

Lt. Joseph Shane Hicks, 34, was named lieutenant of the year. He has been with the department seven years and was also named lieutenant of the year in 2006.

David Josh Harper, 23, was named driver of the year. He is a veteran of three years with the department and was named firefighter of the year in 2006.

Eric Tyler Bland, 23, was named firefighter of the year. He has been with the department for 18 months.

Christina M. Priola, 28, was named emergency medical technician of the year. She also received the award in 2007. She has been with the ambulance service for five years.